Reports suggest tension rose between Pistorius and girlfriend over text from South African rugby player

Police believe an iPad recovered at the home of Oscar Pistorius on the night his girlfriend was killed will be an "intrinsic part" of their investigation.

Her iPad was recovered by police after the 29-year-old model was shot at the home of the Olympic and Paralympic champion on Valentine's Day.

Police will investigate if a late-night message from South African Springbok rugby player Francois Hougaard sparked a row between the Blade Runner and his girlfriend, according to South Africa's Times newspaper.

Hougaard was close friends with Steenkamp and Pistorius and shared an agent with her.

South African media has claimed that a "close relationship" between Hougaard and Steenkamp had caused tensions between her and Pistorius, whom she had been dating for a few months.

Hougaard's agent, Lorinda Voges, said: "Our client will not answer any questions regarding Reeva Steenkemp or Oscar Pistorius at this stage as this is still an ongoing investigation and this whole sad ordeal has got nothing to do with him."